Missy's Moments

Eric

 

Eric turned 11 last week…. 11

What freaks me out a little more is that along with 11 comes middle school.

It’s not Eric I’m worried about- it’s all the other kids. I have a feeling this will be yet another lesson in trust. Seems like the older each of my children get the harder some of the lessons in trust are but I must say that God is faithful and I am always able to come to that peace that passes all understanding. So with that in mind I will choose to be excited for Eric and we’ll walk into middle school looking forward to the opportunities and not scared of the what if’s.

Enough about me…..

Eric is 11- did I mention that. He turned 11 on the 27th of April and this mama was out of town. I had an early childhood conference that I was at for a few days. Leaving was hard because Eric was very concerned about me not being here but he and Rick and Sam had a great day. He started out his day doing one of the things he does best (and baffles me with) and that is his Math Masters Competition. It was about 3 hours of numbers and numbers make this boy happy. strange… Great as long as I don’t have to help! (not sure I could)

He brought a giant chocolate chip cookie cake to school to share with his friends. Came home opened his desk and helped Dad put it together. He loved it and has been happily doing his homework there each night. On Sunday Grandma Bobbie, Kayla and Jordan came over to celebrate with him. One thing that always impresses me is how grateful he is for his gifts. Always and there’s never a doubt about it. Case in point- we asked my mom to purchase the chair that matches his desk. A chair. Eric was giddy about it.

Eric is my tender hearted boy. He still cuddles (don’t tell his buddies I said that) and when I drop him off at places he gives me this look that says “sorry mom- I want to give you a hug but now isn’t the time”. Sam on the other hand almost acts excited he has an excuse to get out of a squeeze!

Eric is smart… and I mean scary smart. He loves space and the stars and reads books about planets for fun. He loves to read in general which I think he gets from me and he is a great artist which I know he got from Rick.

Eric started a bowling league last fall and he and his lava red bowling ball are improving each week. In fact later today he is bowling in St. Paul in the Pepsi youth state tournament. He qualified at the tournament he bowled in earlier in April.

Eric begins golf lessons this summer and decided that he’s going to love that sport. I have no doubts as he’s a thinker. He enjoyed baseball and played for a few years but decided that’s not his thing. Golf will be his new stick and ball.

Eric is excited about youth group- moving on “in his walk with God” as he put it. A couple of week ago he shared with us his desire to be baptized so he’ll talk with the pastors over the summer and if they agree and he still feels led he’ll be baptized in the fall. He’ll attend our summer program called Treasure Hunters again where kids in 3rd-6th grade take a week to really dig into God’s word, have a service opportunity and grow their friendships. He’s loved it for 2 years now and this will be the last year he does it.

Eric loves Skylanders, Mario- his new favorite Super Smash Brothers Brawl, his Ipod all of which must be given limits b/c he could stay in front of a screen the entire day if we let him.

Eric you are a treasure- What a joy it is to be your mommy.

 

Cha Cha Changes....

Rumor has it that I don't like change. Apparently in the past I have been known to get a little... shall we say "on edge" when things change. I am quite certain that I am making good strides in getting past my refusal to accept reluctance to change, yet there are changes happening in my life, and in the life of my children, and in Rick's life. The emotions with each situation are so different I wonder some days just how one can go to through all these different feelings and not loose their mind. Well I don't really wonder, I do know how, but it doesn't change the fact that some days the rawness of emotion is exhausting and frankly there are days where I just pray and thank God for those distractions that keep me going.

Last summer we made the decision to put our house on the market. We really had no timetable to keep for when we sell but honestly I don't think either Rick or I was prepared for the fact that it would take 9 months to sell our house and then have 35 days to find another house, pack and move. We are beyond excited about this change- it's a good change and a needed one. There are many benefits to this move and so this change brings about excitement, anticipation and a new chapter that we're ready to take in. We have a new house, we don't have to rent and we're 11 days out from all this happening. I WILL share more about the new house soon.

Sam turned 9 yesterday, Eric turned 10 the end of April. THEY. ARE. BOYS. no question about it. They have changed and grown so much in this last year. I love watching them grow. I love parenting with Rick. I have learned to not to be so fearful of them getting older. In the mist of some of the teenage years it's a struggle to not fear the little ones growing. You want to protect them from life, from the hard days, tough lessons and hurts but I know now that in wanting to protect them from those things that I would also prevent them from feeling the love, laughter and joy that comes in their accomplishments, in service and growing in their relationship with Jesus. They are in much better hands then mine and I feel so blessed to have them entrusted to us.

Jordan turned 18 this month. Jordan is facing some hard truths right now and can I tell you IT. SUCKS. to watch. But again I am awed when God gives me a glimpse of His plan and I am humbled when again I am reminded that it is not about ME. There have been many days in the last 6 years when I have struggled with anger, hurt, fear, anxiety and just plain felt heartbroken over the road my oldest son has traveled. I don't know why this is his road but I do know that nothing is out of the reach of God and I have been reminded of this day after day. When I again say "God why?" He just allows me to cry and kick and scream and then I feel His love when I'm done. God knows the hurt of watching your son hurt, his love for Jordan is all about watching His Son hurt for Jordan. Today my oldest son is uncomfortable. I know some of my greatest change has come from seasons of complete discomfort. I pray this to be true for Jordan and that He too feels the love that has never stopped coming from us or from God.

Kayla.... wow Kayla turns 20 next week. My baby girl, the one they laid in my arms and all I could think was "is she really mine?, look how beautiful she is" She's not only 20 but in 27 short weeks she will have a little one in her arms. This change is just as exciting as it is scary. To know the emotion my young girl is going to go through, that she is already going though... I never imagined what this would really be like. I know a few things to be certain. God doesn't make mistakes... this little grand-baby of ours is knitted together perfectly and has purpose. I am SO SO excited to meet him/her and love on this little gift. I know that Kayla is also loved and won't be alone in this new adventure of parenting and I am grateful for my own experience of being a young mom and the struggles that go along with that. I hope to be able to encourage her when those struggles get the best of a day. I know I have often said that I became a mother too young but Kayla and Jordan were the blessing that came from my broken road. Life is always worth celebrating. Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.... love that verse.

In early May Rick's Dad was brought to the hospital and admitted. His breathing was very labored and He was very weak. Since then we have learned that Dad has End Stage COPD. He has since been moved into a nursing home that also offers hospice care. We all know that at some point we will enter a season of life where our parents will end their time here on earth but let's be honest, knowing that doesn't mean it's any easier... it is hard. I am grateful for a few things that have come from this. 1. Dad is still here with us, nothing sudden has happened and we are able to go visit and spend time with him. He's just as convinced as ever before he's unbeatable at cribbage and His smart alec sense of humor is still in place. and 2. That He is being well cared for by each of his kids and Rick and his sisters have been in communication with one another, not always easy communications but none the less there isn't doubt that caring for their Father and loving on him in the time he has left of this earth is what the priority.

If you are still reading this would you do me a favor? Take just a moment to lift up any one of this life changing moments to the One who is unchanging.

I won't promise it won't be forever before I get on here again but know that I am bound and determined to make blog therapy a more regular part of my weeks

until the next time....

Spring Break- Day 1 Museum Monday

The boys and I started our spring break by heading up to St. Paul to visit the Boy King- The King Tut Exhibit.  The exhibit itself was pretty interesting, what was tough was trying to get the boys interested in the journey to Tut himself- really it was all about the prize at the end for them the mummy. (which is just a exact replica). Sam would stop mid tracks and again remind me of how they make mummies... the gory details of how they are gutted. Nothing morbid or future serial killerish about his fascination but regular boy goofiness. Case in point- one of the statues had his son standing next to him naked- and yes all the parts showed- and yes Sam and Eric pointed, giggled and completely missed the fact that the statue like all the others had incredible details and colors and it was just amazing to me the ability and talent put into each one. I wish we could have taken pictures but they were not allowed inside the exhibit. In fact my friends daughter was scolded for trying to eat a tic-tac inside the exhibit. They are indeed one of a kind and I'd hate for one of the Pharaoh's to be defiled by a tic-tac.  

Once outside of the exhibit we started to explore the rest of the museum. The first part proved to be a bit challenging as there was a LARGE group there from a school (that later after I googled were from northern minnesota) that was a bit 'overpowering' .  The boys were getting really frustrated with the fact that just about everything we stopped at got interrupted by one of these kids in a red shirt (they all wore them) and not just interrupted but nearly impossible to work on intended science experiment. Normally I just quietly encourage the boys to be a good example (when they aren't the rude ones) or even just politely ask the offending child to please be patient but this was not happening so the camp in me came out. After I first used this to remind the boys that when we are with camp in the summer it's so very important to be good repersentives and then I secondly decided that if the red shirt chaperone's were to busy on their cell phones and chatting with one another that I would remind the red shirts of some basics. Eric was pretty impressed when a child grabbed something out of his hand and I looked at the kiddo and just firmly said "please don't grab- use your words and wait your turn- oh and give it back" The fun part about that was Eric later was telling Dad about how mom "let a kid have it so he could finish his turn". Yes there is some gratification in being a mama bear. No there is no gratification in the fact that most of these kids if they had boundaries they didn't bring them with them.

Well the red shirts departed and despite all that we had fun- I got a few pictures and only because the boys had to verbally contract to not fight and run when I said smile

in training for the Today show someday-

 

pre-historic fun

 

I took the next two pictures with the camera lens on the other side of a globe- turned out kind of fun.

 
 

what boy doesn't want to play with fire...

 

 

 

 

So Far This Year...

 For Christmas my mom gave me a new camera. I just wanted something simple to put in my purse and take out and point and shoot. Well I've pulled it out of my purse a few times but really have yet to transfer the pictures. I started looking at them tonight... we've had a busy year so far and we're only 3 months into it.

By January we had just a little bit of snow.....

 
We've all piled in the car to vacate the house while potential buyers looked.

Went to visit Rick's Mom (above) and Dad (below)

 

Some intense games of Monopoly.... no longer is there railroads and Boardwalk- nope now it's airports and disney world!

We are offically a 'WILD' family- we've had the chance to attend a few games and have a blast each time.

 
 Went to the Waterpark of America (above) and Nick Universe (below)

 

Have a great birthday dinner with ALL my kiddos (at once I might add). Last 30's b-day or should I say my first 39 birthday ;)

 
 Just a picture of me with lipstick- I do that about twice a year :)

 
I put the lipstick on for a date with my hubby- he brought me to Rick Springfield- see the sling on his arm. He's 63 now-need I say more?

 

AWANA derby races 

 
 

 
 

my failed attempt at being sexy with a cherry while on a date with Rick... LOL (in my defense the blond I saw doing the same thing looked really good!)

 
Been to a few basketball games

 
 and hockey (sam) games

For some reason most of my pictures from Wild games have #15 in them... it's weird

 

 
 really here's my all time favorite player :)

My classroom- our Feb. bulletin board- I love my job (have I mentioned that?)  

So it's just a snapshot but that's a few things we've been up to.




 
 
 

eric

said he needed to "step it up a notch" in AWANA....this week the derby happens. Stay tuned for results. Rick Eric has worked hard on his car.

 

#7

7. Eric's desire to "get revenge" on his last AWANA 'record'. He was able to memorize 10 verses earlier in the year and He warned His leader that this week he would like to WILL learn 14 verses. (he asked me to cross out would like to and change to will do). I'm thankful that He desires God's word, he works for it and is learning to apply it to his life.

Car Conversations

Conversations with Sam and Eric on the way to work/school.

Me: Aren't the trees beautiful! It's like God painted everything white and sprinkled some glitter here and there.

Eric: I wonder if He wrote my name anywhere?

Me: Well the world is pretty big you never know He may have written Eric in some place that we might not see on our drive.

Eric: Well it would have to say Eric ALLEN Eagen in order for anyone to know it was me.

Me: (deciding to make this a teaching moment) You know Eric when you asked Jesus into your heart God wrote your name, your full name in His special book. It can never ever be erased no matter what.

Eric: Well He must use a good pen then :)

_______________________________

Car just buzzed with the seat belt warning light b/c I forgot to put it on....

Eric: Mom your breaking the law.

Sam: It's just a little law. (should I be worried about that? ;) )

Me: No Eric's right I should have put it on right away not just because it's a law but it's safe.

Eric: Yeah, breaking ANY law isn't good at all.

Sam: God didn't make the law.

Me: (another teaching moment coming on) But He does ask us to obey those in authority

Sam: So He does make rules...

Me: Well sure, but do you know God's #1 rule? (for the record I don't like using the word rule but it was flowing and working)

Sam: Hmmmm maybe

Me: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and love one another.

Sam: that's not a rule it's a verse!

Me: Yes but it's a command in God's word, they're not just verses you learn for AWANA, it teaches us how to live.

Sam: Well it's a good thing we have it then because it sure would be hard to read God's mind to know what the rules are.

Batter Up

Eric’s turn to have the camera at his game- although he wanted Dad operating it! Twerp- cute twerp but a twerp nonetheless

Take note of the tongue while he’s running- I’ll just say they don’t get that from Rick!

 

Summer Summer Summer Time

I love summer. I love being with the kids. I love my job (most days). I love hanging out on our ‘deck’ with our ‘deck furniture’. (maybe I’ll show you pictures of the glorious deck someday) I love brats. I even like baseball a bit more this summer. Being tan is fun. Shorts t-shirts and slip on shoes make the wardrobe selections easy. I just love summer- really I love spring, summer and fall any temp over 50 will due and maybe being from Minnesota I’m just not picky.

Today brought about Como Zoo and Como Town and then baseball. Both boys play on the same nights so Rick and I have switch off- tonight I went to watch Sam play t-ball and Rick was watching Eric. I had the camera and must remember to bring it on Wednesday when I watch Eric.Today was an easy day to catch great smiles and every one of those smiles reminds me to be grateful for these summer days.

This picture (above) has Eric and Sam’s buddy Logan in the middle of them- the frog hopper went straight up and down and I wish I had audio of the laughing happening in this picture!

  I decided that if ever I was a bird I’d want to be this gal (or guy). I really thought this was one daper looking bird :)

 

Sam in a loving way named this guy buttface- I’m sure you can tell why and I assure you he warned me before saying the “bad word” LOL

 

 

This is how Sam runs- tongue over to the side and always as fast as he can. Not sure what will happen when someone gets him out (hasn’t happened yet). I L.O.V.E. this picture :)

This was his “grand slam” to second base- I think his tongue is already out and ready to run!

Dear Blog

Dear Blog AKA Missy's Moments,

Oh my how have you been? It's been far to long since we last chatted and I really have to say that I've thought so often about just dropping what I'm doing and writing but the days go so fast and there never seems to be enough time. So here I am- I have a million things to do but alas I just can't stand it any longer. There is much to catch up on so let's get started.

I'm sure you're wondering about Jordan, it's been ages since I've updated you and there is much to tell as he's been home for visits now since shortly before Easter. It's been nice having him home, seeing him with his brothers and Kayla, having a chance to "practice" for when he's home for good. I know I know it does seem like forever that we've been on this journey but even his homecoming will simply bring a new leg to this journey, not an end. I think we've all learned some patience and acceptance of what a new normal will look like. I know I have learned that being a mom of teenagers will bring out the very worst in me at times all while hoping for the very best for these young people we love so much. I do have some fun pictures to share of Jordan. He has changed so much and his long awaited growth spurt has finally come, hard to believe that he will be 16 in a month.

 

Look up in the tree- and in the second picture look who's taking notes!

 

Speaking of teenagers.... Miss Kayla attended prom a few weeks back. WOW did she look beautiful, but really you know her and I'm sure neither of us expects much less. We recently sent out the invites for her GRADUATION open house! YIKES I think I am somewhat in denial about that. Her plans are to stay close to home (maybe even stay home) and attend RCTC this fall with hopes of getting into the nursing program. She will soon take her state test to be a CNA (certified nursing assistant.) Hopefully she will be able to find a job in a nursing home, although she did apply to a local children's home and I think where ever she finds a job she will do great! Here are some pictures from prom. The gal with her is her friend Bobbi- they have been friends for as long as I can remember.

 

Have you read the Twilight series? OH MY GOODNESS did I enjoy that series- Poor Rick and the kids had to dig my head out of a book for a couple of weeks straight - the thing about me and a good book is it really is hard on my house- there must have been some strange wind that came through and created the mess I found when I finished the final book because I'm still trying to get it all straightened out. Really good reads and I recommend them if your looking for some summer entertainment and have nothing else to do for a couple of weeks. ;)

I'm still trying to work out weekly- as far as how often well it just depends on the week. This week I happen to have a nasty cough/throat thing going so I've only been down there once. To help motivate me again I've joined a 9 week fitness boot camp that begins in June. I'm really excited to be challenged and feel a bit more accountable to my fitness/health goals. I must confess I'm a bit of a chicken when it comes to running anywhere but a treadmill. I like the controlled environment of the treadmill I swear it has nothing to do with my other controls issues! ;) I am .7lb away from the 25lb mark. According to my "plan"I'm 10lbs above where  I wanted to be by this date but I am very content at taking things slow and steady. As long as I don't add numbers all is good.

This next week is my last week with the current 3 and 4 year olds I am with... I am going to miss seeing those sweet faces every week. What a great year it has been. I have decided to finish my educational hours necessary to apply for my Child Development Associate Credential and become lead qualified. I figured along with finishing out the year, planning a grad party it seemed like it'd be a good time to squeeze one more thing in! Gezzzz do I ever learn? I do work well under pressure and honestly I don't know if there ever really will be a down time. I wouldn't trade any of it and when the kids are grown I have a feeling I'll miss it so I've decided to just enjoy as much as I can.

Eric and Sam just finished swimming lessons yesterday. Sam passed, Eric didn't. Boy did I feel bad for Eric but he's such a good sport he just said he was close and he'll get it soon. What a great attitude. They can both move on to the next level in June and I'm sure time in the water this summer will help them along.

Eric turned eight the end of April. This is the year of no parties for either Eric or Sam but I think we managed to have some fun and provide a few wanted presents.

 

 

 

 

Both the boys love sports- they begin their baseball season in June and unfortunately they both play on the same nights at different fields so Rick and I will be busy playing baseball tag for awhile. Sam finished up his hockey season in March and is already talking about the next season. Eric played basketball as his winter sport and finished up the same day as Sam. In fact that was the weekend I was in the hospital.

 

Note the "hockey hair"- not sure I'm a fan of that but it's a battle that I've decided to let go. It's just hair. (that happens to drive me crazy!)

So that's kind of a snapshot into the life and times on our end. I hope to stay in touch better over the summer months and as usual I have this notion in my head that somehow someway things will be a little less busy! - keep laughing at me I know it's just my wish-full but thankful thinking.

Take care and God Bless!